Muscle Memory Training Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A muscle memory training system for determining an orientation of a first shoe relative to a second shoe comprising an alignment signal generator adapted for attachment to the first shoe and configured to generate an alignment signal, and a target adapted for attachment to the second shoe and configured to receive the alignment signal generated by the alignment signal generator when the orientation of the first shoe relative to the second shoe is achieved. The system may further comprise an alignment indicator for generating an indicator signal when the alignment signal generator and the target are in alignment.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a device and methods for providing guidance and feedback in learning and reinforcing the proper orientation of one's feet relative to each other. The invention allows a user to develop muscle memory with respect to one or more preselected body positions by providing visual and/or auditory cues before, during, and after a specific physical activity is performed. Devices and methods of the invention are therefore useful as a training tool to aid in learning, improving, and perfecting skills for a variety of sports, such as baseball, golf, tennis or basketball, as well as other activities requiring proper foot positioning.

The proper orientation of one's feet in the performance of athletic or other activities is an important factor in the success of such performance. Proper orientation is often developed and perfected by repetitive practice. When a person practices repeatedly, the result can be to induce physiological changes which attain increased levels of accuracy through such repetition. Even though the process is more in the nature of brain-muscle memory or motor memory, the colloquial expression “muscle memory” is commonly employed and, for purposes of this application, refers to any such physiological response that is induced by such repetitive practice. As presently understood, muscle memory is formed over time through repetition of a given set of motor skills so that such movements become automatic. As one reinforces these movements through repetition, the neural system learns those motor skills to the degree that one no longer needs to think about them, but merely to react and perform appropriately.

In various sports, there are specific skills that require a series of specific body positions and movements to be performed with precision. In basketball, for example, free throws involve shooting at a fixed basket from a specific location on the court (i.e., the foul line). As a result, the development of free throw shooting skills involves learning specific body positions and a precise series of movements that are essentially the same from shot to shot. Similarly, in baseball, for example, hitting a ball involves swinging a bat from a specific location on the field (i.e., the batter's box) at a ball pitched from another specific location on the field (i.e., the pitcher's mound). The batter's swing must coordinate a complex series of body movements with the physics of bat movement in order to strike the ball such that it travels a desired path. Thus, the position of the batter's feet relative to each other is important to a successful hitting technique. Moreover, these movements require the performance of a series of actions that, while mostly the same, may vary from swing to swing to adjust for the position of the ball over the plate as well as to direct the ball to different parts of the field.

In learning these and other activities, proper foot positioning is an important aspect. As a result, there is a need to provide training devices, kits, and methods that provide guidance and feedback to the user in the proper positioning of their feet in the performance of activities.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a training system comprising an alignment signal generator positioned on a first shoe, and a target positioned on a second shoe. The alignment signal generator is configured to generate an alignment signal, and the target is configured to receive said alignment signal. The system may further comprise an alignment indicator for generating an indicator signal when the alignment signal generator and the target are in alignment. In one embodiment, the target also serves as the alignment indicator and the indicator signal is a reflected form of the alignment signal. In another embodiment, the alignment indicator is a separate component of system which generates an indicator signal when the alignment signal strikes the target. The indicator signal may be a visual signal, an audio signal, a tactile signal, and/or any other signal suitable to indicate to the user when the alignment signal has struck the target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a training system of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a second training system of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a third training system of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a fourth training system of the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a first position of the training system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of a second position of the training system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5C is a schematic view of a third position of the training system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a first position of the training system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6B is a schematic view of a second position of the training system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6C is a schematic view of a third position of the training system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the training system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment in which the target also serves as the alignment indicator and the indicator signal is a reflected form of the alignment signal.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the training system of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment in which the target and the alignment indicator are separate components of the system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an orientation storage/input device according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention allows a user to determine the proper positioning of his or her feet relative to each other in the performance of various tasks. These tasks may be actions associated with sports such as baseball, golf, tennis or basketball, with various forms of dance, or any other endeavor in which the precise orientation of the user's feet is an important factor.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a training system 100 comprising an alignment signal generator 110 positioned on a first shoe 112, and a target 120 positioned on a second shoe 122. The alignment signal generator 110 may comprise any suitable device capable of being affixed to a shoe and of generating an alignment signal 114 that can be detected by the target 120. Examples of suitable alignment signal generators include light emitters such as light-emitting diodes (LED) or laser diodes, UV or IR emitters, and ultrasound emitters, or combinations of any of the foregoing. In one embodiment, the alignment signal generator 110 is incorporated into the shoe at the time of its construction. In another embodiment, the alignment signal generator 110 is affixed to a fully-constructed shoe. In either of these embodiments, the alignment signal generator 110 may be permanently or removably affixed to the shoe by any of a variety of suitable means including conventional hardware, stitching, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, elastic bands, magnets, or other attaching devices known in the art.

The target 120 may comprise any suitable device capable of being affixed to a shoe and of detecting an alignment signal 114 generated by an alignment signal generator 110. Examples of suitable targets include reflectors, light sensors including reflective light sensors, photodiodes, IR sensors, UV sensors, ultrasound sensors, or combinations of any of the foregoing. In embodiments using LEDs or lasers to generate the alignment signal, the target may comprise an area having a color of sufficient contrast to the color of the LED or laser light, such as a black circle, so that the alignment signal is readily visible when it strikes the target. In one embodiment, the target 120 is incorporated into the shoe at the time of its construction. In another embodiment, the target 120 is affixed to a fully-constructed shoe. In either of these embodiments, the target 120 may be permanently or removably affixed to the shoe by any of a variety of suitable means including conventional hardware, stitching, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, elastic bands, magnets, or other attaching devices known in the art.

The shape and size of the target 120 may vary with the type of foot positioning sought to be trained and the precision sought to be achieved. Suitable target shapes for use in the system include circles, ellipses, strips, bands, other regular and irregular shapes, and combinations of these. Suitable target sizes for use in the system are large (greater than 1 inch in diameter), small (up to one inch in diameter), and combinations of these.

In operation, the alignment signal indicator 110 is affixed to a portion of the first shoe 112, and the target 120 is affixed to a portion of the second shoe 122 so that when the target 120 receives and detects an alignment signal 114 emitted by the alignment signal generator 110 the shoes are oriented relative to each other in the desired position. The system may comprise one or more alignment signal generators and/or one or more targets. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a single alignment signal generator 110 affixed to shoe 112, and a single target 120 affixed to shoe 122. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the system 100 comprises a plurality of alignment signal generators 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c each affixed to shoe 112, and a single target 120 affixed to shoe 122. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the system 100 comprises a single alignment signal generator 110 affixed to shoe 112 and a plurality of targets 120 a, 120 b, and 120 c each affixed to shoe 122. In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the system 100 comprises a plurality of alignment signal generators 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c each affixed to shoe 112, and a plurality of targets 120 a, 120 b, and 120 c each affixed to shoe 122. Alignment signal generators may be exclusively on one shoe with targets exclusively on the other (as shown in FIGS. 1-4), or each shoe may have one or more alignment signal generators and one or more targets.

While FIGS. 2-4 show pluralities of alignment signal generators and/or targets as comprising three such elements, it will be understood that other numbers of alignment signal generators and/or targets may also be used in the system and are within the scope of the invention. When more than one alignment signal generator is used in the system, they may be of the same type or a combination of different types. When more than one target is used in the system, they may also be of the same type or a combination of different types, and they may also be the same or vary in size and/or shape.

By way of example, in the context of baseball batting practice, different orientations of the batter's feet relative to each other may be desired in order to direct the ball to different parts of the field (i.e., right field, center field, or left field), or to bunt. In this context, these different desired orientations of the batter's feet may correspond to the alignment of a single alignment signal generator and each of a plurality of targets, as shown schematically in FIG. 5A-C, or a plurality of alignment signal generators each emitting an alignment signal to a single target, as shown schematically in FIGS. 6A-C. In this manner, the batter can readily determine the proper orientation of their feet in the performance of a specific actions thereby enhancing their muscle memory associated with such actions.

The alignment signal 114 may comprise any acoustic and/or electromagnetic waves such as, for example, ultrasound, or UV, IR, or visible light. In one embodiment, the alignment signal 114 comprises light having a wavelength in the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum visible to the human eye. In this embodiment, the alignment signal generator 110 comprises a light emitter, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode, and the target 120 comprises a material capable of receiving and detecting light emitted by the alignment signal generator 110.

In one embodiment, the alignment indicator 130 is incorporated as part of the target 120. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the indicator signal 132 may be a reflected form of the alignment signal 114 that is visible to the user's eye 150. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the alignment indicator 130 is a separate component of the system 100 that emits an indicator signal 132 visible to the user's eye 150 when the alignment signal 114 strikes the target 120. In embodiments in which the alignment indicator 130 is a separate component, the alignment indicator 130 may be positioned on the second shoe 122, in proximity to the target 120 or elsewhere, on the first shoe 112, or on another remote component of the system 100 such as, for example, an armband, a wristband, headband, earbuds, or any other type of component readily worn or carried by the user. When a remote alignment indicator 130 is used, it may be in wireless communication with the target 120 so that an indicator signal 132 is emitted by the remote alignment indicator 130 when the alignment signal 114 strikes the target 120.

Laser diodes suitable for use in the present invention are a readily available commodity. Typically, such diodes require approximately 3 volts of direct current to produce 3 to 10 milliwatts of power at a wavelength in the range of 640 to 670 nanometers. An available diode that emits at that wavelength is model NDL 3200 from NEC which provides at 25 degrees Celsius an absolute optical output power maximum of 4.0 mW, with a life expectancy in excess of three-thousand hours. The output power of the laser diode may be temperature-dependent and may decrease significantly as its temperature increases unless the driving current provided to it is adjusted. The laser's output light is an elliptical-shaped visible beam with a vertical beam angle of 35 degrees and a lateral beam angle of 7 degrees.

In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more alignment signal generators 110 positioned on a part of the user's body, clothing, and/or equipment other than the first shoe 112. In such embodiments, the one or more alignment signal generators 110 are positioned on one or more other parts of the user's body (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist), and one or more targets 120 are positioned on the second shoe 122. In this manner, the one or more alignment signals 114 can be used to determine proper foot position not relative to the other foot but other parts of the user's body. This embodiment may also employ one or more alignment signal generators 110 positioned on the first shoe 112 as well.

In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more targets 120 positioned on a part of the user body, clothing, and/or equipment other than the second shoe 122. In such embodiments, one or more alignment signal generators 110 are positioned on the first shoe 112 and the one or more targets 120 are positioned on one or more other parts of the user's body (e.g., knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist). In this manner, the one or more alignment signals 114 can be used to determine proper foot position not relative to the other foot but other parts of the user's body. This embodiment may also employ one or more targets 120 positioned on the second shoe 122 as well.

In another embodiment, as shown schematically in FIG. 9, the system further comprises a orientation storage/input device 140 comprising a microprocessor 142 having a memory 144 in which specific alignments of one or more pairs of preselected alignment signal generators 110 and targets 120 may be stored, and a user interface 146 for selecting and activating such alignments. Each specific alignment corresponds to a particular shoe orientation that is itself associated with a specific activity such as, for example, hitting a baseball into left field or driving a golf ball down the right side of a fairway. These particular shoe orientations may be generic to the activity, or they may replicate the specific shoe orientations associated with the performance of such activities by individuals such, for example, professional athletes (e.g., Ryan Howard or Tiger Woods). In this manner, the system is capable of generating a variety of different shoe orientations that may be associated with a specific activity or with different activities.

Particular shoe orientations may be preloaded in the memory 144 or inputted through the interface 146. In either case, each such orientation corresponds to the activation of one or more alignment signal generators so that their one or more alignment signals strike one or more selected targets. Each set of alignment signal generators and targets utilized in a given shoe orientation may be assigned a specific designator. The interface 146 may allow the user to select a particular shoe orientation by inputting the associated designator. If the selected shoe orientation is stored in the memory 144, the designator may be used to select the stored orientation. If the selected shoe orientation is not stored in the memory 144, the interface 146 may also allow the user to enter new shoe orientations and to store such orientations in the memory 144. The entry of such new shoe orientations may be accomplished by inputting their associated designators or by creating a new designator.

In operation, a user desiring to practice a particular activity selects a shoe orientation associated with the desired activity by means of the interface 146. The selected shoe orientation may be already stored in the memory 144 or it may be a new orientation entered by the user. If the user inputs a new shoe orientation, the system may be configured to allow the user to store such new orientation in the memory 144, and to associate a predefined or a newly-created designator to such orientation for future reference. Upon selection of the desired shoe orientation, the one or more alignment signal generators associated with such orientation are activated. The user then orients his or her shoes relative to each other so that the one or more alignment signals strike the one or more targets associated with the desired shoe orientation. When the set of alignment signal generators and targets associated with the desired shoe orientation are properly aligned, the one or more indicators generate one or more indicator signals indicating to the user that the desired shoe orientation has been achieved. In embodiments in which the targets also serve as indicators, the one or more indicator signals generated thereby may be the reflected forms of the one or more alignment signals (e.g., visible dots on each of the designated targets). In embodiments in which the indicator is a separate component of the system, the proper alignment of the shoes may be indicated to the user by means of signals associated with the alignment of each pair of alignment signal generators and targets or by means of a single signal (e.g., a “click”) when all alignment signal generators and targets are properly aligned.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for training the muscle memory of a user. The method comprises the step of positioning a first shoe worn by the user relative to a second shoe worn by the user so that an alignment signal generated by an alignment signal generator affixed to the first shoe strikes a target positioned on the second shoe. In one embodiment, the method involves the alignment of a single alignment signal generator and a single target by means of a single alignment signal. In another embodiment, the method involves the alignment of one of a plurality of alignment signal generators and a single target by means of different alignment signals. In yet another embodiment, the method involves the alignment of a single alignment signal generator and one of a plurality of targets by means of a single alignment signal. And in yet another embodiment, the method involves the alignment of a plurality of alignment signal generators and a plurality of targets by means of a plurality of alignment signals. In yet a further embodiment, the method involves the alignment of one or a plurality of alignment signal generators positioned on one or more parts of the user's body, clothing, and/or equipment, other than the user's shoes, with one or a plurality of targets positioned on one or both of the user's shoes. In still a further embodiment, the method involves the alignment of one or a plurality of alignment signal generators positioned on one or both of the user's shoes with one or a plurality of targets positioned on one or more parts of the user's body, clothing, and/or equipment, other than the user's shoes.

In embodiments in which a plurality of alignment signal generators are used, they may be affixed to a single shoe, to both shoes, or to other parts of the user's body, clothing, and/or equipment. When alignment signal generators are attached to a single shoe, one or more targets are correspondingly affixed to the other shoe. When alignment signal generators are attached to both shoes, one or more targets are correspondingly affixed to both shoes as well. The foregoing methods may further comprise the step of generating one or more indicator signals indicating to the user that the one or more alignment signals have struck their respective targets.

Modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description of the invention. Accordingly, this description teaches those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention and is to be construed as illustrative only. The forms of the invention shown and described constitute the present embodiments. Persons skilled in the art may make various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, persons skilled in the art may substitute equivalent elements for the elements illustrated and described here. Moreover, persons skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention may use certain features of the invention independently of the use of other features, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 

1. A muscle memory training system for determining an orientation of a first shoe relative to a second shoe, comprising: an alignment signal generator adapted for attachment to the first shoe and configured to generate an alignment signal, and at least a first target and a second target, wherein both targets are adapted for attachment to the second shoe and configured to receive the alignment signal generated by the alignment signal generator when the orientation of the first shoe relative to the second shoe is achieved, wherein the first target and the second target are differently sized.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the targets are further configured to generate an alignment indicator signal.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the alignment indicator signal is a reflected form of the alignment signal.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an alignment indicator configured to generate an alignment indicator signal.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the alignment indicator signal is a visual signal, an audio signal, or a tactile signal.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the alignment indicator is adapted for attachment to the first shoe or the second shoe.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the alignment indicator is adapted for attachment to one or more parts of the user's body or clothing other than to the first shoe or the second shoe.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the alignment signal generator is a light-emitting diode or a laser.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of alignment signal generators adapted for attachment to the first shoe wherein each alignment signal generator is configured to generate a different alignment signal, and at least a first target and a second target, wherein both targets are adapted for attachment to the second shoe and configured to receive an alignment signal generated by each of the plurality of alignment signal generators when different orientations of the first shoe relative to the second shoe are achieved.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises an alignment signal generator adapted for attachment to the first shoe and configured to generate an alignment signal, and a plurality of first targets and second targets adapted for attachment to the second shoe wherein each pair of targets are configured to receive the alignment signal generated by the alignment signal generator when different orientations of the first shoe relative to the second shoe are achieved.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of alignment signal generators adapted for attachment to the first shoe wherein each alignment signal generator is configured to generate a different alignment signal, and a plurality of first targets and second targets adapted for attachment to the second shoe and configured to receive the alignment signals generated by the plurality of alignment signal generators when different orientations of the first shoe relative to the second shoe are achieved.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pluralities of alignment signal generators and targets are both adapted for attachment to the first shoe and the second shoe.
 13. The system of claim 1 further comprising an alignment signal generator adapted for attachment to one or more parts of the user's body or clothing other than the first shoe.
 14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a target adapted for attachment to one or more parts of the user's body or clothing other than the second shoe.
 15. A two-component muscle memory training system for determining a position of a shoe relative to another part of a user's body or clothing, comprising: an alignment signal generator configured to generate an alignment signal, and a target, wherein one of the components is adapted for attachment to the shoe and the other component is adapted for attachment to one or more parts of a user's body or clothing other than a second shoe so that the alignment signal strikes the target when the position of the shoe relative to the one or more parts of a user's body or clothing is achieved.
 16. A method for determining an orientation of a first shoe relative to a second shoe, comprising the step of: positioning the first shoe having an alignment signal generator relative to the second shoe having a first target so that an alignment signal generated by the alignment signal generator strikes the first target when the orientation of the first shoe relative to the second shoe is achieved; and subsequently positioning the first shoe having a second target smaller than the first target so that the alignment signal generated by the alignment signal generator strikes the second target when the orientation of the first shoe relative to the second shoe is achieved.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein a single alignment signal generator and the first and second targets are aligned by means of a single alignment signal.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein one of a plurality of alignment signal generators and the first and second targets are aligned by means of an alignment signal.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein a single alignment signal generator and one of a plurality of pairs of differently sized targets are aligned by means of a single alignment signal.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of alignment signal generators and a plurality of pairs of differently sized targets are aligned by means of a plurality of alignment signals. 